Amtrak's Kummant resigns as CEO

On Friday, Amtrak announced that Chief Executive Officer Alex Kummant resigned after serving in the top post a little more than two years.

During his tenure, Kummant oversaw the ratification of labor agreements with all unions representing Amtrak employees. In addition, Amtrak continued its streak of annual ridership growth.

"During the past two years, the company has experienced exciting economic times, strong ridership and revenue growth, solid profit and loss performance, and the advancement of the Amtrak brand overall," said Amtrak Chairman Donna McLean in a prepared statement.

Other organizations noted Kummant's accomplishments, as well.

"[Kummant] has worked hard to improve the working relationship between freight and passenger rail," Association of American Railroad officials said in a statement.

The National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP) added: "We are particularly appreciative of his defense of the national network of long-distance trains."

Amtrak installed Senior Vice President of Operations William Crosbie as interim CEO. The next chief exec will have his or her work cut out for them, according to NARP.

"The next CEO of Amtrak must work hard to ensure that Amtrak's recent growth continues," the association said. "Now can be a renaissance moment for passenger trains in America, especially with the recent passage of the Amtrak reauthorization bill. However, huge and growing demands on the federal budget from all directions make it more important than ever that the new CEO be able to guide the company aggressively and successfully."